Huntsville City Hosts Inaugural State of Higher Education Breakfast
The morning of October 17 saw a vibrant gathering at the Jackson Center in Huntsville, as the community came together for the inaugural State of Higher Education breakfast, hosted by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber. This exciting event brought together the presidents of four local public colleges and universities: Alabama A&M University, Calhoun Community College, Drake State Community & Technical College, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Everyone was eager to discuss the unique missions and goals of their respective institutions.
A Strong Sense of Community
Jeff Samz, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Health System, moderated this engaging panel discussion, which was filled with warmth and a friendly competitive spirit. While each president certainly wanted to advocate for their own school, it was apparent that they also recognized the importance of collaboration within the community. “I hope, as a community, we never take for granted the spirit of cooperation that separates North Alabama from everybody else,” stated Samz, setting a positive tone for the conversation.
Workforce Development: A Shared Goal
One of the hot topics of the morning was the relationship between the local economy and workforce development. Dr. Chuck Karr, President of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), shared some encouraging statistics: approximately 80% of UAH graduates stay in the area after getting their degrees. “You should take great comfort in that because these young people are talented, they’re competitive, they’re engaged,” he assured the audience.
Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community & Technical College, was enthusiastic about her institution’s responsiveness to local workforce needs. “We have an 87% placement rate for our students,” she said proudly. “Our students complete programs, and they go to work in those fields.” This sentiment echoed with Dr. Jimmy Hodges, President of Calhoun Community College, who spoke about the satisfying moment he experiences when he witnesses students improving their quality of life through education. He shared a particularly inspiring story of a non-traditional student who had advanced in his career after continuing his education at Calhoun. “To hear him talk about how he now has insurance and a good salary, is truly inspiring,” said Hodges.
Meeting Local Needs Through Education
Dr. Karr also highlighted the importance of security clearances for students, noting that about 300 students at UAH possess them. He is actively working with local community colleges and industry leaders to ensure that students in two-year programs can also obtain these vital clearances. “Many times it’s not just the engineers who need them, but also the technicians. We aim to be good community partners in this effort,” he remarked.
In another initiative, Calhoun is developing educational programs in diesel mechanics, aviation, and respiratory therapy to cater to the specific needs of local employers. Meanwhile, Alabama A&M University has launched a doctoral program to address the increasing demand for social workers in the state. Samz emphasized that every institution present is trying to create programs in direct response to the workforce needs, especially those related to the Huntsville Hospital system.
Challenges and Collaborative Solutions
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. President Wims of Alabama A&M University identified retention and building maintenance as ongoing challenges. Thankfully, a special task force has made strides in improving student retention rates, increasing them by over 10 percentage points in the past two years. “We’re now up to 70% first-year retention,” he proudly announced.
Drake State is taking steps to meet local healthcare needs by acquiring medical equipment with the help of Huntsville Hospital, enabling them to train future healthcare providers. Sims promoted a “learn and earn” model where students work in paid apprenticeships, allowing them to support their families while pursuing their education.
Fostering Entrepreneurship
Beyond graduating employees, these institutions also focus on nurturing the next generation of business leaders. Karr highlighted the Capital Management Group at UAH, which manages a financial portfolio valued at over $1.2 million, offering real-world experience to students. Additionally, UAH’s Invention to Innovation Center (I2C) serves as a small business incubator for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Sims encouraged the business community to support the schools by retaining top-notch instructors and mentoring students. “If you have unique skills, consider talent sharing,” she suggested. Collaborating with the advisory boards and committees is an excellent way for businesses to give back.
A Vision for the Future
As the conversation wrapped up, Karr emphasized the critical need for cooperation with the community. He reflected on UAH’s historical support for defense and research initiatives, but added, “We also want to be increasingly responsive to the wider demands of Huntsville.” In closing, he reiterated the importance of growing graduates in fields like teaching, accounting, and nursing, along with engineering and computer science. “Ultimately, we want to be a university that is worthy of the community in which we reside,” he stated. This collaborative discussion provided a promising outlook for Huntsville’s educational landscape and its future workforce.
